surgery to relieve bump after root canal

[tlsable]

I noticed a small bump on my gum just under the tooth I had a root canal done on a year ago.  It was not painful.  I went to dentist, who examined and took xray and said he could find nothing wrong and to just watch it.  The bump continued, got bigger and then popped releasing fluid.  IT then formed again and continued leaking fluid etc.  The dentist again took xrays and said that he could not find the area causing the problem and would need to do exploratory surgery.  I had this surgery two days ago. It was very painful and took two hours.  I had to have 2 addtional novacaine shots during the procedure.  The dentist said he found that on one root of the tooth, it was thin and the filler material from the root canal was touching my gum through this roo because the tooth root was so thin is was actually broken through. He said he put some "material" to cover this exposed area and we will just have to wait and see if it works. I now have stiches in my mouth along the jawline under the tooth. My jaw is very swollen and painful.  I was not given any instructions  and just told that I could eat what i could tolerate.  It is hard to open my mouth very far.  My dentist is not in today.  Should I take ibuprofin and should i have this much swelling?  Should I be on some kind of antibiotic? What can i expect as far as my tooth and should the root canal have been or be redone?  I am very unsure about everything and was nervous about the term "exploratory surgery".

[shirl000]

I'm glad to hear everything seems a little better for you and that you are getting the stitches out soon. I would love to hear your results. Has this kept you at home or were you able to go out shopping or to work soon after the procedure?

[tlsable]

Thank you.  I am feeling better.  There is still some swelling and my cheek/jaw area is still tender but I think it is better. It is still the stiches (one especially) that are bothering me.  I have them removed on Thursday and I will let you know more then.  As for the tooth itself, I will have to wait and see.  It seems OK so far.

[shirl000]

I was just wondering how you are feeling today? Do you feel any better and has your swelling gone down?  How you are seeing some relief.

[tlsable]

Yes, it was my dentist who did the surgery.  My daugther insisted I go to an oral surgeon but my dentist assured me that this procedure was well within his capabilities.  So, I went with my dentist.  Some of the pain has subsided (4 days post op now) but the swelling remains and it is tender to touch my lower cheek and jaw.  The stitches are what is really bothering me as they seem to pull when i smile or move my mouth in certain ways.  If I had it to do over again,  I think I would go to an oral surgeon who was VERY familiar with this problem.  I think the whole precedure would have been less painful and probably not as lengthy.  I don't understand pain, in this day and age, with any procedure.  I guess this varies from dentist to dentist.  As I said before, I asked for more novocaine twice and by the time he was stiching me up, i felt i could have had another one.  I felt every single stich going in and it hurt. By then I was so anxious to leave, i said nothing.  
So, as long as your dentist/oral surgeon is good about keeping you pain free, I think you will be fine.

[Jerome Bogin, D.D.S.]

I think that if the swelling does not abate in a day or gets worse then I suggest that you do take an antibiotic.Advil if it can be taken is my choice of over the counter medication.I believe in being more conservative with a tooth that has a secondary infection from  a root canal. i would prefer to retreat the tooth before any surgery is done if at all possible.

[shirl000]

I'm in the exact same situation that you are in.  I have had 2 root canals on the same tooth because of pain. Now I have a bump under the tooth.  There is no signs of infection under the tooth or signs of inflammation on x-rays and scans. Now my oral surgeon wants to to exploratory surgery too.  I'm scared to do it.  Did your dentist do the surgery or was it an oral surgeon? Please let me know how everything turns out for you.

[mike1105]

it is too late now, but you probably should have gotten another opinion. for the pain and post op issues, your dentist should have someone on call to answer these questions.